On the Offense v2: 12
On the Offense v2: 12
Quick Preview: NBA Suspensions Reward Shitty Players
Reporter: Don’t you think that based off recent events involving suspensions, lesser players will try to hurt star players with hopes of creating an altercation that gets star players suspended?
Stu Jackson: Well, that’s a stretch.
Nov 19, 2004: Pacers-Pistons Brawl
Ben Wallace, with 45.9 seconds left, overreacts to a hard foul by Ron Artest. Artest shows some rare restraint by avoiding a confrontation. Wallace continues to pursue Artest escalating the situation to where a drunk fan throws beer on Artest and the worst brawl in NBA history ensues.
Suspensions
Detroit Pistons
Ben Wallace: 6 games
Chauncey Billups: 1 game
Elden Campbell: 1 game
Derrick Coleman: 1 game
Indiana Pacers
Ron Artest: 86 games
Stephen Jackson: 30 games
Jermaine O’Neal: 25 games
Anthony Johnson: 5 games
Reggie Miller: 1 game
This moment sparked by Ben Wallace effectively ended the Pacers chances in a year where they were one of the favorites to win a title. The Pacers never recovered from this moment and are now in the process of rebuilding.
Dec 16, 2006: Knicks-Nuggets Brawl
The Knicks felt disrespected when they were being routed in their own building. Knicks coach Isiah Thomas took out all his starters in surrender yet Nuggets coach George Karl wanted to ensure the win by keeping his starters in. Isiah, pissed about the disrespect, sent nobody player Mardy Collins to flagrant foul J.R. Smith starting a brawl.
Suspensions
New York Knicks
Nate Robinson: 10 games
Mardy Collins: 6 games
Jared Jeffries: 4 games
Jerome James: 1 game
Denver Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony: 15 games
J.R. Smith: 10 games
Nene: 1 game
Denver lost three starters and the Knicks lost one, maybe. Mission accomplished.
May 14, 2007: Suns-Spurs Playoffs
Horry hip-checks Nash. Amare and Diaw (a known pacifist) stand up from the bench to see if Nash is cool and sit back down. Serious. That was it.
Notes: Previous incidents in the series include Bruce Bowen swiping at Amare’s formally busted foot and kneeing Nash in the balls.
Suspensions
San Antonio Spurs
Big Shot errr Cheap Shot Rob: 2 games
Phoenix Suns
Amare Stoudemire: 1 game
Boris Diaw: 1 game
Two starters gone for the Suns including their best scoring player. Mission accomplished.
I don’t think that’s a stretch, Stu. I’ve been saying this shit for years. The NBA ALWAYS punishes the retaliators and not the instigators. I have always said that the NBA has been sending the message that if you want to get rid of the opponant’s star players, just cheap shot them with a thug. Congrats NBA. Just when I thought you couldn’t fuck up your league and make it more boring, you finally have an exciting series and you fuck it up again. I hope your league gets dropped in popularity below NASCAR. Oh wait, that’s already happened.